Two California grandmothers have a nine-year-old to thank for saving their lives.

Fire officials are hailing young Rickie Ventura as a "hero" after he rescued his two grandmothers from a fire in their home.

The fire started in an electrical outlet and quickly spread to Rickie's bed while he slept. The nine-year-old woke to smoke and jumped into action.

Dispatchers say that it's what Rickie did next that saved his disabled grandmother down the hall.
    
"I heard a buzzing, then I got everybody out and called 911," the nine-year-old said.

"After we got Gram Gram out, he went back and shut the door, which confined the fire which contained it to his room," Jill Elliot, Rickie's grandmother said. "Unfortunately he lost everything."

"He absolutely was the hero of the day, and is just an awesome kid," she added.

Both grandmothers say they're grateful for their grandson. They admit they're even more thankful for his maturity and clear thinking during the fire.